Press Release - New IPIE Analysis Finds Text Based Generative AI More Persuasive Than Deepfakes

May 26, 2026 - Zurich, Switzerland - The International Panel on the Information Environment (IPIE) today released a new scientific assessment finding that misleading text generated by Generative Artificial Intelligence currently poses a greater persuasive risk than visual misinformation such as deepfakes. The report also concludes that preventative corrective information is the most consistently effective intervention for reducing the credibility of misleading Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) content.

The report, "Confronting Misinformation Produced with Generative AI: A Meta-Analysis of Experimental Scientific Evidence", synthesizes findings from 24 peer reviewed studies involving 33,801 participants and 60 randomized controlled trial effect estimates published between 2018 and 2025.

The assessment finds that false text generated by GenAI is often perceived as more credible or belieavable than accurate information, while visual misinformation such as deepfakes is increasingly viewed with greater skepticism by users.

Professor Sebastian Valenzuela, the IPIE's Chief Science Officer, said:

"The current evidence shows that policymakers should pay closer attention to the persuasive power of false text generated by GenAI, not only to visual deception. Text-based systems are inexpensive, scalable, and increasingly integrated into search engines, messaging platforms, and conversational interfaces. This creates a rapidly expanding risk for the global information environment."

The report identifies four major findings:

1. Text based Generative Artificial Intelligence misinformation currently poses greater persuasive risks than visual misinformation.
2. The current evidence base excludes most of the world, with research heavily concentrated in English language and high-income countries.
3. Preventive corrective information is the most consistent intervention.
4. Content labeling can reduce perceived credibility of misleading content, but only when labels are clear, consistent, and carefully designed.

The report highlights significant gaps in global knowledge about how misinformation generated by GenAI affects users across different languages, cultures, and political systems. Most existing studies focus on the United States, South Korea, and parts of Europe, leaving much of the world underrepresented in the scientific evidence base.

The assessment also finds that preventative corrective information, including educational prompts, prebunking messages, and warnings explaining how GenAI systems can produce misleading content, consistently reduce the perceived credibility of misinformation when provided before exposure.

By contrast, content labeling showed more variable results. While labeling content may have been generated or manipulated by artificial intelligence can reduce credibility, their effectiveness depends heavily on wording, presentation, timing, and implementation.

The report warns that scientific research continues to lag behind the pace of technological development. Many studies examined older systems such as GPT 2 and early deepfake tools, meaning current public risks may be underestimated as newer conversational systems become more sophisticated and persuasive.

The IPIE calls for expanded independent research, broader international evidence gathering, and stronger researcher access to platform and model data to improve governance responses to the evolving information environment.

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For media inquiries, interviews or more information, please contact Press@IPIE.info

Further details about the IPIE can be found on www.IPIE.info

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About the IPIE

The International Panel on the Information Environment (IPIE) is an independent and global science organization providing scientific knowledge about the health of the world's information environment. Based in Switzerland, the IPIE offers policymakers, industry, and civil society actionable scientific assessments about threats to the information environment. The IPIE is the only scientific body systematically organizing, evaluating, and elevating research with the broad aim of improving the global information environment. Hundreds of researchers worldwide contribute to the IPIE's reports.

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